Refrigerator



oct. 18, 1 932. I C. N. FOREMAN l1,883,668

REFRIGERATOR Filed Oct. 23. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Invenlor (JV. Foreman llomey Oct. 18, 1932.

c.N.FoREMAN REFRIGERATOR Filed oct. 25, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R Invenlor v Torman 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor `/qllomey Oct. 18, 1932. c. N. FOREMAN REFRIGERATOR Filed oct. 23, 1951 y Patented Oct. 18, 1932 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES N. FOREMAN, F CHAMBEBSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA BEFBIGERATOR Application led October 23, 1931. Serial No. 570,709.

This invention relates to an improved refrigerator construction and has more particular reference to a novel principle of operation and a practical means for fulfilling the requirements of this new principle of refrigeration in a practical and satisfactory manner.

The improved theor and the 'accompanying physical structure 1s susceptible of incororation in various types of refrigerating oxes, cabinets, and the like, and is illustrated in the drawings as applied in one instance to a confectionery or frozen product storage cabinet for public sales purposes, and

is further illustrated as embodied in a refrigerator of the domestic or household variey. nerically stated, the novelty 1s pred1- cated upon a cabinet or box structure having 9 a storage space and accessories located therein for accommodating the products to be refrigerated. Separated from this compartment and imbedded in insulation in an individual compartment is a container for the refri erant, said container embodying heat absor nt fins or bars which project from the packed compartment into the Astorage compartment whereby to provide for the desired heat exchange and consequent refrigerating process. By increasing or decreaslng the area of finned surface in the com.

partment a lower or higher temperature is respectively maintained.v

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in section and elevation illustrating the improved principle and the application thereof to refrigerated product cabinet'.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the iin equipped refrigerant container.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the structure seen in Figure 2 observing itin a direction from right to left.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the weighted follower and the refrigerant container.

Figure 5 is a plan view of said follower.

Figure 6 is a view in section and elevation showing the improved refrigerating means installed in a domestic type refrigerator designed primarily for household use.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the complete unit used in this particular type of refrigerator.

The horizontally elongated type of cabinet disclosed in Figure 1 is generally represented 55 bythe numeral 8 and this embodies a storage compartment 9 having a suitably lined wall structure 10. This compartment is constructed to accommodate one or more casings, the one represented in Figure 1 being designated 50 by the numeral 11 and being fashioned, as is usual, to accommodate frozen products. The numeral 12 designates the customary lid.

There is a substantially right angular bafiie structure in this compartment comprising 05 a horizontal baiile plate 13 and a vertical plate 14, these being spaced from the walls of the lining 10 to facilitate circulation of air as indicated roughly by the arrows.

The entire interior of this cabinet is provided with a filler 15 of appropriate insulating material and it is in the insulating material shown at the left hand end of thecabinet. that I place the improved refrigerating means. It will be noticed that the top plate of the casing 8 is provided with a tapered rim 16 to accommodate a removable cover 17z this cover being provided with appropriate insulating means and with a central passage at 17a constituting a gas vent for the escape of so carbon dioxide gas generated in the container 18. l

Seated in and depending below the rim 16 and imbedded in the insulating filler 15 is a container 18 of appropriate dimensions. This container is adapted to hold the refrigerant. In accordance with the present inventive conl ception` the refrigerant is here shown inthe This follower recedes as the dry ice blocks 19 are consumed. Attached to the bottom of the dry ice container 18 are spaced parallel metallic heat conductors in this case shown in general T-shaped form. The stem portions 23 yare fastened in spaced parallelism to the bottom of the container and extend in a horizontal plane through the insulation 15 and openings in the adjacent wall of the liningV 10. (See Figure 1.)

The head portion 24 projects into the compartment 9 between the lining 10 and vertical delector plate 14.

The container or tank 18 in practice is of a suitable size for holding a predetermined number of blocks of low temperature dry ice or frozen carbon-dioxide. Incidently, the seams are vmade tight. The T-shaped heat conductors provide the requisite heat exchange action and communication between the refrigerant blocks and the storage compartment 9.

When the dry ice is placed in the tank, it is covered b v means of the follower plate, and the purpose of this follower plate is to move downwardly with the evaporating dry ice and thereby prevent undue gas circulation around the dry ice cubes which would materially accelerate evaporation. As it moves down the packing gasket 21u has wiping tight contact with the inner surfaces of the walls of the tank. The tank is well insulated by the surrounding packing, being imbedded in the said packing. and the pack- I ing also extends around the walls forming the lining 10 for the refrigerating compartment 9.

Under this arrangement, the heat is extracted from the air circulating in the compartment 9 by the absorption action of the air coming into contact with the T-shaped head 24.

The same general principle of operation is carried out in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In Figure G for example. I have illustrated a domestic or household refrigerator 25 having a suitable storage compartment 26 provided with a wall lining QT. This lining defines the storage space for the ed ibles and if desired provided' with shelves Q3 and other internal accessories.

Between the lining 27 and the wall of the outer easing of the box, I provide appropriate insulating packing Q9. This packing extends into the upper chamber ofthe box as indicated at 30. The improved refrigerating unit here comprises a tank or container 31 for the dry ice cubes and it is provided with an open top having supporting flanges 32.

This flange is engageable with the rim 33 and said rim is constructed to` accommodate the removable cover 34 having a vent '35 for the escape of carbon dioxide gas generated in the container 31. This tank is also provided With an inner cover and a follower 0f the aforesaid construction, and the same numerals are employed to designate like parts.

The numeral 36 designates the chest which depends into the storage compartment 26 which may be provided with ledges to accommodate sliding drawers or pans 37. Formed integral with this chest and on the' exterior are the fins 38. In addition, the tins havel The gist of the inventive conception is embodied in an idea utilizing dry ice or frozen carbon-dioxide in block form, with appropriate means for subjecting the contents of the storage compartment tothe refrigerating action of the dry ice units. Those familiar with inventions of this class and with the method of extracting heat must know that in many instances, the gas generated by the refrigerant must not come in contact with the products to be refrigerated and it is because of this factor that the improved'arrangement herein illustrated and described is found to be satisfactory for'the purpose.

When a cooling substance such as dry ice `or frozen carbon dioxide is used, the temperature of the cooling medium is, asa general rule. much lower than the temperature desired in the refrigerating compartment of the box, and it is therefore necessary to provide an adequate storage compartment for preserving the initial charge and allowing heat to be absorbed byit from the box being refrigerated, and as little as possible from other sources, and for this reason effective insulation must be utilized.

I wish to emphasize in particular the idea of imbedding the cooling unit in the packing or insulation material with only the heat absorbing fins and means projecting into the lined storage compartment. I also wish to emphasize the idea of utilizing the fins and metallic bars as the primary heat absorbing means for conducting the heat from the refrigerating compartment to the refrigerant tank where the heat is finally absorbed.

It ishighly important to note that the dry ice tank must be isolated from the compartment being refrigerated.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a. clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthydescription is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1.k In a refrigerator construction of the class described, an enclosure embodying a refrigeratin and storage compartment, insulation pac 'ng inv said enclosure surrounding said compartment, a refrigerant container imbedded in said insulation and isolated from said compartment, and heat absorbing and conducting means connected with said container and projecting into said compartment, said refrigerant container being designed to accommodate frozen carbon` dioxide blocks, and including a weighted follower plate arranged in the container abovethe blocks and adapted to recede as the .blocks evaporate.

2. In a refrigerator construction of the class described, a dispensing cabinet comprising a casing having a substantially air tight storage compartment, baile means in said compartment including a' horizontal baie plate and a vertical bameplate spaced from the Walls of the lining to facilitate circulation of cold air, packing in said casing and surrounding said com artment, an open 30 top refrigerant tank imbe ded in said packing and isolated from said compartment,

closure means for said tank, a follower yin said tank, a plurality of heat absorbing and conducting members attached to the bot- 35 tom of the tank and extending throu h the packing and into the compartment, t e ex- V tended portions being arranged in the space between the vertical Wall of the baie and the/adjacent wall of the com artment lining.

40 In testimony whereof I a my si ature.

CHARLES N. FORE N. 

